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Demolition of 1,500: No cause for alarm, FG assures residents of Abuja community
Owners and residents in the over 1,500 homes in the Xhidu community near Lugbe Phase II in Abuja can now take a breather of relief, as the Federal Government assured that there was no truth in the report that the bulldozers would soon move in to bring the structures down.
Against the backdrop of the demolition of 677 houses and partially pulling down 774 others in Festac Town in Lagos, recently, Keneth Chigelu, spokesman for the Federal Housing Authority (FHA), the agency reported to be planning the demolition said to be meant to accommodate a housing estate to be built by a private developer, urged the people to disregard, the alleged move after they already say “blatantly violates constitutional rights, disregards their welfare as citizens, and tarnishes Nigeria’s global reputation.”
Denying that it was behind the move, the body said in the statement: “The authority wants to correct the wrong impression created by some land grabbers, who have consistently misled some innocent Nigerians by extorting money from them by selling government land.
“Federal Housing Authority acquired a parcel of land from the Federal Capital Territory Administration for housing development and carried out an enumeration exercise and subsequently paid compensation to the farmers.
Chigelu, who said the illegal development happened to be at the right of way of Ring Road, which serviced the entire area, added: “Consequently, eight months ago, FHA and FCDA embarked on the identification of all the developments that fell within FHA’S land and the ring road three (for removal) to pave the way for the development of the land.”
Chigelu, while informing that the authority had called on all persons laying genuine claims to the land to come forward with proof of ownership and approval to build for documentation, said it was surprising therefore, that some persons would come up with outlandish claims that the Federal Housing Authority is planning to demolish the entire Zhidu community, giving them only two weeks’ notice.
“The authority would not be distracted or deterred by the ambush tactics of the acclaimed leaders of the community; FHA would never accommodate any slum development within any of its estates. We reiterate that persons with genuine claims to any portion of land in the said community that fell within FHA’s parcel of land should come forward with all relevant documents and approval to develop for documentation,” he asserted.
**U.S. President issues stark ultimatum, warns of possible armed action against Islamic militants
United States President Donald Trump has issued a severe warning to the Nigerian government, threatening to halt all American aid and potentially launch military operations in the country if attacks on Christians continue.
In a statement released Saturday night on Truth Social, Trump delivered an ultimatum that escalates tensions between both countries, threatening direct U.S. military intervention in Africa’s most populous nation.
READ ALSO: Tinubu fires back at Trump, says Nigeria rejects religious persecution
“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria, and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities,” Trump declared.
The American leader indicated he has already directed military officials to begin preparations for potential action in Nigeria.
“I am hereby instructing our Department of War to prepare for possible action. If we attack, it will be fast, vicious, and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians!” he stated.
Trump concluded his statement with an urgent warning to Nigerian authorities.
“WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST!” he said.
The threat comes just one day after Trump redesignated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” over alleged religious persecution, a move that drew swift condemnation from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
In his Friday response, President Tinubu rejected the characterization of Nigeria as religiously intolerant, stating that the country “stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty.”
The Nigerian president emphasized that his administration has been actively engaging with both Christian and Muslim leaders since 2023 while addressing security challenges affecting citizens of all faiths across the country.
Trump’s latest statement marks a dramatic escalation in rhetoric and raises serious questions about U.S.-Nigeria relations and the potential for American military involvement in West Africa.
The Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has revealed major financial relief measures and workforce expansion plans aimed at resolving persistent grievances among healthcare workers, especially those in the Nigerian Association of Resident Doctors (NARD).
In a Thursday statement, Minister of State for Health Dr. Iziaq Salako revealed that President Bola Tinubu had authorized accelerated payment of outstanding dues to health sector employees, including NARD members.
According to him, as of Thursday, October 30, an additional ₦21.3 billion had been transferred to the IPPIS account, and payment to beneficiaries had commenced.
READ ALSO: Resident doctors declare indefinite nationwide strike over unmet demands
He added that another ₦11.995 billion is being processed for release within 72 hours to settle other outstanding arrears, including the accoutrement allowance.
Dr. Salako explained that these payments are being made in line with the approved salary structure for the health sector.
The Federal Government has additionally issued special waivers permitting large-scale hiring of healthcare workers across federal tertiary institutions to combat the effects of brain drain and excessive work hours.
He noted that this recruitment drive is part of a broader strategy to ensure that Nigeria’s health facilities are adequately staffed, safe, and equipped to deliver quality healthcare services to citizens.
Regarding continued discussions, Dr. Salako stated that collective bargaining sessions are ongoing with the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA)—NARD’s parent body—alongside the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU) and the National Association of Nigerian Nurses and Midwives (NANNM).
Dr. Salako emphasized that these interventions reflect the Federal Government’s unwavering commitment to safeguarding the rights and welfare of health workers, ensuring industrial harmony, and upholding the uninterrupted delivery of quality healthcare services to Nigerians.
These developments follow NARD’s October 26 announcement of plans to begin an indefinite nationwide strike from November 1, 2025.
Disclosing this in a statement, NARD President, Mohammad Suleiman, said the strike directive was issued after the expiration of a 30-day ultimatum earlier given to the Federal Government over unresolved demands.
The decision was reached after a five-hour National Executive Council (NEC) meeting held on Saturday.
“The NEC has marshalled out minimum demands, strike monitoring directives, and ‘no work, no pay/no pay, no work’ resolutions needed for a successful execution of this action,” the statement reads in part.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has issued a response to US President Donald Trump, asserting that Nigeria rejects religious persecution.
The statement came after Trump’s Friday announcement re-categorizing Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern.” Trump alleged that Nigerian Christians face existential danger and promised American protection.
READ ALSO: Trump raises alarm over killings in Nigeria, declares country “of particular concern”
“Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria. Thousands of Christians are being killed,” Trump said in a social media post on Friday.
President Tinubu replied on Saturday through social media, underscoring Nigeria’s dedication to religious freedom.
“Nigeria stands firmly as a democracy governed by constitutional guarantees of religious liberty,” he said.
“Since 2023, our administration has actively engaged with Christian and Muslim leaders alike and continues to address security challenges affecting citizens across all faiths and regions.
“The characterisation of Nigeria as religiously intolerant does not reflect our national reality, nor does it take into account the consistent and sincere efforts of our government to safeguard freedom of religion and belief for all Nigerians.
“Religious freedom and tolerance are core tenets of our collective identity and shall always remain so. Nigeria opposes religious persecution and does not encourage it.
“Our constitution guarantees the protection of citizens of all faiths, and our administration remains committed to working with the United States government and the international community to deepen understanding and cooperation in protecting communities of all religions.”
Trump threatens military action in Nigeria over killing of christians
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